# Help me choose a pair of swim trunks/shorts

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-choose-a-pair-of-swim-trunks-shorts/689555>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [May 29, 2014, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-choose-a-pair-of-swim-trunks-shorts/689555 "2014-05-29T13:01:04Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![ticker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d07c76/32.png) [@ticker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ticker)\
**Post date:** [May 29, 2014, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-choose-a-pair-of-swim-trunks-shorts/689555/1 "2014-05-29T13:01:04Z")

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I am male, 50, and not a good swimmer. I have just signed up for and adult improvers swim class at my local pool and need to buy something to wear, but I haven’t investigated the swimwear market for many years. I am a bit overweight with almost all the excess in the gut - I do not have a fat ass. I want something practical and age-appropriate and somewhat conservative, I don’t want to stand out from the crowd as I struggle with my front crawl. Obviously itsy-bitsy Speedos or a gold lamé thong are out. :eek:

Help.

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**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\
**Post date:** [May 29, 2014, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-choose-a-pair-of-swim-trunks-shorts/689555/2 "2014-05-29T13:26:00Z")

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[Boardshorts](https://www.google.com/search?q=boardshorts+men+images&rlz=1C1GPEA_enUS315US315&es_sm=122&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=DDWHU6OuJ9awoQTMxoGYDQ&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAg&biw=1280&bih=685). Full coverage. Available everywhere, from Old Navy and Target to any mens department store. They are not the fastest through water but you’re not shooting for record laps at this point.

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**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\
**Post date:** [May 29, 2014, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-choose-a-pair-of-swim-trunks-shorts/689555/3 "2014-05-29T15:30:06Z")

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What \*\*QuickSilver \*\*said! You could also add a rash guard on top if you’re too self-conscious to wear trunks alone. [Surfers](http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=a9_sc_1?rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Amen's+rash+guard&keywords=men's+rash+guard) wear them.

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**Author:** ![Becky2844](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@Becky2844](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Becky2844)\
**Post date:** [May 29, 2014, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-choose-a-pair-of-swim-trunks-shorts/689555/4 "2014-05-29T18:09:59Z")

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JC Penney has them, too, (we’ve been shopping for them too) but right now **Walmart’s** selection is much nicer; more muted, not as flamboyant. And cheaper to boot.